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Advanced Placement (AP) results released today by the College Board show that many of New York’s high school students are well prepared for the academic challenges of college. New York is again one of the nation’s leaders in the percentage of students scoring a three or better on at least one AP exam, which indicates mastery.

A total of 23.3% of New York’s 2008 graduating class earned at least a three, as compared with the national average of 15.2%. Only Maryland had a higher percentage than New York, with 23.4% of its students scoring a three or better on at least one AP exam.

A total of 35.4% of New York’s 2008 graduates took at least one AP exam during high school, as compared with 25% for the nation as a whole.Ìý

State Education Department Commissioner Richard Mills said, "These results show that more and more New York students are preparing themselves for college. They understand that, more than ever, a college education is indispensable for success in today’s fiercely competitive global economy."

Buffalo, Syracuse, Rochester and New York City have recently begun to administer the PSAT to all students in the 10th or 11th grade, many free of charge.Ìý In 2008, Yonkers City School District received $906,330 and the Rochester City School District received $775,474 in federal grants targeted specifically at increasing participation and achievement on AP exams. These developments are expected to increase the participation of students, particularly black and Hispanic students in AP courses.

Other important findings related to New York student participation on AP exams include the following:

• 3,013 more students overall took AP exams in 2008 than the previous year;
• 420 more black students took AP exams in 2008 over the prior year;
• 712 more Hispanic students took AP exams in 2008 than did in 2007; and
• 836 more low-income students took AP exams in 2008 than did in 2007.

The College Board’s state and national reports can be accessed at this address:

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